Critique Group

I'm painfully shy.  Painfully!  I don't like that about myself, so I've been trying to force myself to get out of my comfort zone.  My hope is that by doing these things, I might overcome my shyness.

I go to a monthly thing with women.  It's a guided-meditation-Girls'-Night-Out thing.  It's been great, but the women who go vary from month to month, so I still feel shy each time I go.  Plus, they are in the habit of talking over each other, and I was taught to wait until there's a break in the conversation, so my voice is rarely heard, even if I do have something I want to say.  I still go because I think it's a good exercise for me.

I started going to a writers' group back in November (a NaNoWriMo kick-off party).  I've gone twice since then, but there have only been two of us, so I'm not sure how much good it's doing me.

Today, I went to a writer's critique group.  Not knowing what to expect, I went, hoping for the best. 

OH MY GOODNESS!  IT WAS AMAZING!  I felt shy, but not as much as I normally do.  More than anything, I felt unprepared, but since this was my first critique group, they understood (I'll do better next time!)

The part that was amazing was the fact that I was sitting around a table with authors, having intelligent conversations about writing, and we all share the same goal of working toward being published.  I think it was the most stimulating thing I've ever done.  I've always been afraid of doing something like this because I was afraid I couldn't keep up.  Or I'd sound like an idiot.  Or... any number of other fears. 

This wasn't like that at all!  I felt like I was on-par with them.  Like they appreciated my input and like they will be able to give me some really good feedback for my manuscript.  I feel like I found a group that will be a really good fit for me.  YAY!!!!!

I'm kinda sad that we're not meeting for another two weeks, but I'm sure I'll survive.  I'm kind of on a high right now.  They have runner's highs - do they have writer's highs?  This is exactly what I've been looking for.  I'm so glad I found them!

Best Sentence Ever!

About half a year ago, I gave a friend my manuscript to read.  And that was that.  I never heard back from her.  At first, I thought her busy life had gotten in the way - two active kids, a budding business, and an adoring husband.  And then I realized that six months is just too long for other things to get in the way. 

I had to face it - she didn't like it.  She hated it and she didn't know how to tell me.  Not wanting to hear how pedantic it was, I never asked her about it.  We talked about other things, but I never brought up my book again.

Sure - I've been working on that series for nearly a decade and I felt that the first book (the one she read) was ready to be published.  Sure - I had pinned all of my hopes and dreams on this series.  But, I had to move forward. 

I moved on to other things.  For Camp NaNo, I wrote a twisted fairy tale.  For NaNoWriMo, I wrote a romance novel (those are easier to get published, right?)  I thought I would pursue other genres, get my name out there, improve my writing, and try the YA thing again in another decade or so.

And then my friend contacted me.  Things had gotten in the way.  She hadn't been able to get to it.  But, the first day she opened it, she contacted me to tell me that she had to run an errand, but she couldn't put my book down.

SHE COULDN'T PUT MY BOOK DOWN!!!!

Oh my goodness!  The sun shone more brightly than ever, the heavenly choir sang, and rainbows were sprouting up all over the place.  Could a more beautiful sentence ever be said to an author?

The next day, she let me know that she had finished it and she wanted more.

OH MY GOODNESS!!!  I can die happy right now.

So, here's the quandary - I've heard that authors need a platform.  I'm no good at building platforms.  I need to build a following.  I'm a painfully shy introvert.  How does one make friends and get people to follow you?

I'd like to think I'm good at writing.  I've always said I was born in the wrong time.  In previous eras, an author was selected by how good the writing was, not how many people followed him or her on Facebook.

So, do I spend the next year trying to develop a following, or do I just submit and hope that my manuscript is good enough to stand on its own?

Autumn

Mother Nature is gently trying to prepare us for Fall. She is painting fiery fall foliage on the very tips of some trees, while others already have a semi-rainbow washed over all their leaves. Some over-acheiving, friendly leaves have even made their way to the ground, which has been inviting them down for a visit.

The sun has stopped baking the ground, making the temperature more tolerable for those who detest the smoldering summer season. The days are comfortable, the evenings are pleasant, and the nights can be wonderfully chilly, making snuggling under blankets more inviting than those nights when sweat trickles down super-heated skin to dampen sheets. Excercising and working outside is made more bearable with the thoughts of heat exhaustion and dehydration banished.

Children walking past my window have donned bulky sweatshirts and backpacks instead of bright tanks and iPods. They also assume the look that children wear when they know their carefree summer is gone and the novelty of school has prematurely worn off. Instead of gleefully gossiping with each other and planning their day of frivolity, they now drudge along to their mandatory day of socialization and learning.

People are making plans for the last few weekends of good weather. When they pack, they have to remember to bring sweaters and blankets intead of sunblock and beach towels. The crowded highways on Sunday evenings point out how many have gotten out of town for their mini vacation.

Windows and doors are open less, smoke has been seen sneaking silently into the sky. Hoses and sprinklers are disappearing, while firewood and decorative scarecrows are making their first appearances. The more responsible adults have been spotted preparing their houses and vehicles for winter--applying the last coat of wax for the year, squirting new caulking into pesky little holes, touching up paint.

Even some stores are in on it. Halloween is still almost 2 months away, yet the shelved of grocery stores are laden with massive bags of bite-sized candies for greedy little fingers. Despite being months away, Christmas has arrived in craft stores, giving those who knit and sew (and others with similar talents) the urge to make their nests cozy and warm. Some who make all their Christmas gifts have started assembling the lists of what they want to make for their loved ones. As they start making the presents, the love that fills their hearts seeps into whatever it is they produce.

I think it's all quite beautiful!